On this day in 2009: Amir Khan makes short work of world title defence
The Bolton fighter stopped Dmitriy Salita in just 76 seconds in Newcastle.
Amir Khan retained his WBA light-welterweight title with a stunning first-round victory over Dmitriy Salita on this day in 2009.
The Bolton fighter needed just 76 seconds to dismantle the previously unbeaten New Yorker in Newcastle.
The victory continued Khan’s impressive comeback after his own shock first-round loss to little-known Colombian Breidis Prescott the previous year.
He was in no mood to let up as he took the fight to Salita from the first bell. Salita was sent to the canvas by a swift left-right combination from Khan after just 10 seconds and was met by a further flurry of hits when he regained his feet.
Salita dropped to one knee and then got up again but, as the bombardment continued, Puerto Rican referee Luis Pavon stepped in to call a halt.
It was Khan’s 22nd win in 23 professional fights.
“It was a blessing in disguise what happened against Prescott. I got beat and came back stronger.”
He went on to retain the belt in further wins over Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana and Paul McCloskey and beat Zab Judah to add the IBF title before losing his belts to Lamont Peterson in Washington in 2011.
Having taken his record to 34-5 in the years since, including defeats to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford when fighting for world titles, Khan is scheduled to face long-time rival Kell Brook in a grudge match in Manchester in February.
